In
a recent article by Eric Hellweg in Technology Review, the topic of new
legislation is in front of the current U.S. “lame duck” Congress,
addressing a number of piracy and media issues that relate to how
audio/video enthusiasts record and use TV. According to the article,
there are a handful of bills being considered right now that aim to
make recording a movie in a theater and/or distributing it via
peer-to-peer networks a felony. Since most reasonable home theater
enthusiasts are willing to buy a DVD of a film through legal means,
this might not be a landmark piece of legislation. However, there are
other bills that go much further, including one that makes it illegal
to fast-forward through parts of films or even to fast-forward through
commercials on your TiVo or other DVR systems.

In October 2004, Arizona Senator John McCain publicly voiced his
opposition to this legislation and specifically mentioned the
anti-commercial skipping feature: "Americans have been recording TV
shows and fast-forwarding through commercials for 30 years," he said.
"Do we really expect to throw people in jail in 2004 for behavior
they've been engaged in for more than a quarter-century?"

Predictably, the RIAA and MPAA are in favor of many of these
anti-piracy laws. Consumer groups and technology lobbyists stand on the
other side of the battlefield, ready to go to the mat over your right
to skip commercials.

AV enthusiasts who value their right to control the content on their
home theater systems as they see fit are contacting their Congressional
representatives, no matter if they live in “blue states” or “red
states.” Some are worried that the same evangelical, right-wing groups
that powered President Bush to a narrow victory in the recent election
have plans to get their far-from-the-mainstream values injected into
our music, movie and media directly by Congress. The FCC, under Michael
Powell, has already started the movement with huge fines against
Viacom, Clear Channel and others. However, Americans may have much more
to fear, as Congress is looking at ways to get right into your DVR
sitting harmlessly on top of your big screen.